Engine control device



Oct. 9, 1945. cso 2,386,669

ENGINE CONTROL DEVICE Filed April 20, 1943 I N If 1 4 INVENTOR GEORGE R.ERICSON ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,386,669 ENGINECONTROL DEVICE George R. Ei'icson, Kirkwood, Mo.

Application April 20, 1943, Serial No. 483,795

26 Claims.

This invention relates to engine control devices and particularly toengine control devices for engines of the multi-cylinder type in whichdifferent cylinders or different'groups of cylinders are supplied withfuel through separate intake conduits, and in which it may be desirableto out off the flow of fuel to one or more groups of cylinders when thepower required to be delivered by the engine is comparatively low.Various devices for cutting off or turning on the supply of fuel to theauxiliary cylinder groups have been devised, see, for instance, myapplications, Serial -N0. 453,116, filed July 31, 1942, and Serial No.

/ experienced drivers, a device for cutting part of the cylinders in andout should operate so smooth ly that the driver does not notice theshift. This is particularly true in cases where the throttle is omittedfrom the auxiliary group of cylinders. In installations of this kind,the added power surge from the auxiliary cylinders may cause anundesirable increase in acceleration unless compensated for by closingof the throttle in the other cylinder group. Also, the cutting off ofthe auxiliary cylinder group should be compensated for by a suddenopening of the throttle to the main cylinder group.

It is the object of this invention to produce a generally new andimproved device and method for the purpose indicated.

The invention will be better understood upon reference to the followingdescription and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammaticelevation of an engine control device and carburetor embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the throttle operating mechanismand control in a different operative position.

Fig. 3 is a plan diagram of an internal comcharges into an intakemanifold duct 4 which supplies the auxiliary cylinder group A of theassociated internal combustion engine (Fig. 3). The engine indicated isan ordinary eight-inline engine, the cylinders being arranged in twogroups of four cylinders each, each group pro viding a power stroke foreach 180 of crankshaft travel and the two groups being set to fire at 90to each other, so that equally spaced power impulses and smooth runningof the engine will be obtained regardless of whether one or both groupsof cylinders are operating. In the present disclosure, the inside groupB of the cylinders is shown as receiving fuel constantly, and the outergroup A is supplied with fuel intermittently, but either group may beselected to operate constantly, and the present invention may be appliedregardless of which group is selected.

Main mixing conduit 3 is provided with an air inlet 5 controlled bychoke valve 6 eccentrically mounted on the shaft 1 which is journalledin suitable hearings in the wall of the air inlet 5 and the partition 8.This choke valve may be controlled by a thermostat and suction controlmechanism of the type shown in Coffey Patent No. 2,085,351 or my priorPatent No. 1,915,851, in which the choke position at low temperaturesand durin warm-up is the resultant of the temperature or rate of airflow past the choke valve and the degree of suction existing posteriorto the throttle. The mechanism is well understood in the art and neednot be more completely vdescribed.

Main mixing conduit 3 is provided with a Venturi stack 9 and suppliedwith fuel from the fuel chamber In by means of the nozzle II. Theadmission of fuel to the nozzle is controlled by the metering rod 12which is connected by means of a cross pin l3 to the suction pistonmechanism 14 normally held in upward position by a spring Ma, butresponsive to suction posterior to the throttle I 6 applied through thepassage ll. Throttle I6 is connected by crank I6a and link l8 to a leverlBa having a lip [9 which underlies cross pin l3. so as to force themetering rod upwardly regardless of suction when the throttle is movedto substantially wide open position. The usual accelerating pump 20operated by linkage 2| connected to the, throttle is provided. This pumpdischarges through the nozzle 22 to provide an accelerating charge whenth throttle is opened.

7 Main mixing conduit 3 discharges into the man ifold duct 23 andsupplies fuel to cylinder group B, and while I have shown a particularlypreferred form of carburetor, it will be understood that other forms ofcarburetors may be used for this group of cylinders. v

The auxiliary cylinder group A is supplied by mixing conduit 2, and thisis provided with a Venturi stack 9, the same as mixing conduit 3.Unbalanced choke valve 24 is controlled by a coiled thermostat 24a sothat the valve will be closed when the temperature is low and so thatthe valve responds only to the direct action of air flow therepast whichmoves it toward open position against the forc of the thermostat. Whennormal running temperature is reached, both choke valves will remain inwide open position.

The fuel control mechanism for the auxiliary group of cylinderscomprises a valve 25 normally biased toward closed position by a spring26 which is weaker than a spring 21 controlling the diaphragm 28 whichoperates the push rod 29. This rod is slidable in guide plugs 25a and26a, the fonner constituting a seat for valve 25 and the latter havingapertures 60 leading to pump pressure chamber 6|. The diaphragm chamberopposite pressure chamber 6! is connected by means of a restriction 3|,cross passage 32, and tube 33 to the port 34 posterior-t thethrottle inmain mixing conduit 3. r

A slide valve stem 35 is connected to the diaphragm 28 and has anintermediate annular recess 36, cross ducts 31 and 38. and alongitudinal channel 39 intersecting the cross ducts and opening toatmosphere outwardly. The slide valve.

casing 40 is provided with transverse ducts or ports 4! and 42, thelatter opening into a flexible tube 43 leading to a cylinder 44. .Apiston 45 slideswithin the cylinder 44 and is constantly urged to theleft by a spring 45. The piston is connected by a rod 41 to a lever 48rigid with throttle I6. Cylinder 44 is connected by a rod 50, bell cranki and link 52 to throttle pedal 53. A spring 54 urges the pedal andlinkage in the direction to close the throttle.

The mechanism operates as follows:

When the suction on port 34 is above a predetermined value, such asexists in the intake manifold when the engine is operating under lightor "no load, diaphragm 28 will be retracted against spring 21 permittingseating of valve 25 to close auxiliary fuel nozzle 55. When the suctionon port 34 drops below such value, because of opening of the throttleand/or increasing the load on the engine, spring 21 moves diaphragm 28upwardly and eventually opens valve 25 (Fig. 2), whereupon fuel willpass through the auxiliary nozzle 55, mixing conduit 2, and manifoldduct 4 to the auxiliary cylinders, bringing these into operation. Theinitial discharge of fuel through nozzle 55 is hastened and increased bythe pumping action of diaphragm 28.

Just priOr to the opening of valve 25, cross duct 38 in the slide valvestem will register with port or duct 4| in the valve casing so as'toexpose chamber 30 to atmosphere through longitudinal channel 39. Byproper calibration of restrictions 3! and 4i, the diaphragm can becaused to pass quickly between its valve seating and un-seatingpositions so that the valve cannot stop in an intermediate position. Thequick full opening of the valve contributes to the prompt supply for anadequate quantity of fuel for wetting the manifold. Furthermore, thi airbleed arrangement insures that the valve will be open when there isrelatively low suction in the manifold, say Hg, or less, but will notagain close until there is substantially higher manifold vacuum, say 15"Hg. This tends to stabilize the valve once it is opened and eliminatethe hunting that would result if the valve opened and closed at suctionsclosely below and above a critical point.

When the diaphragm is withdrawn by suction to its light load position,as in Fig. 1, manifold suction will be communicated to cylinder 44 pastvalve recess 35 to retract piston 45 and shorten the throttle linkage.As the diaphragm and stem valve 35 move upwardly, the suction connectionto cylinder 44 is cut-oil and cross duct 31 in the stem valve registerswith port or duct 42 so as to expose the cylinder to atmosphere throughchannel 39. Spring 43 then moves piston 45 to the left (Fig. 2) so as toslightly close throttle i5 substantially coincidentally with the cominginto operation of the auxiliary cylinders. Conversely,

as the auxiliary cylinders are cut-out, throttle IE will be slightlyopened because of shortening of the throttle linkage. This has theeffect of damping the power surge which would otherwise occur as theauxiliary cylinders are cut in and out.

The invention may be modified in various respects as will occur to thoseskilled in the art and the exculsive use of all modification as comewithin the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

Iclaim:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine intake conduithaving a fuel control valve, a device movable responsive to enginesuction for actuating said valve, and valve means operable with saiddevice to change the efiective pressure conditions applied thereto assaid valve approaches and leaves its seat whereby different pressureconditions are required for closing said valve than for opening thesame.

2. The combination with an internal combustion engine fuel supplyconduit having a control valve therein, of a suction responsive devicefor actuating said valve and capable of movement independently thereof,and means to sharply change the suction applied to said deviceapproximately as it starts to actuate said valve to cause quick valveactuating movement thereof.

3. The combination with an internal combustion engine fuel supplyconduit having a pair of fuel control valves, separate suctionresponsive devices for jointly actuating said valves, and means. tosharply change the suction conditions applied to said devicesapproximately as they start to actuate the corresponding valves toproduce quick action thereof.

4. The combination with an internal combustion engine having aninduction conduit and a fuel nozzle discharging thereinto, of a valvecontrolling the discharge from said nozzle, a device responsive toengine suction for actuating said valve, and capable of substantialmovement independently thereof, and means becoming effective just priorto actuation of said valve by said device for causing quick valveactuating movement of said device.

5. The combination with an internal combustion engine having aninduction conduit and a fuel nozzle discharging thereinto, of a valvecontrolling the discharge from said nozzle, a device responsive toengine suction for actuating said valve, and capable of substantialmovement independently thereof, and means rendered effective by approachof said device to valve actuating position for producing snap action ofsaid device to insure actuation of said valve to its extreme position.

6. The combination with .an internal combustion engine having aninduction conduit and a fuel nozzle discharging thereinto, of a valvecontrolling the discharge from said nozzle, a device movable responsiveto engine operating conditions for actuating said valve and capable ofsubstantial movement independently thereof, and means rendered effectiveby arrival of said device at a position for starting to open said valvefor causing quick action of said device throughout the remainder of itsstroke.

'7. The combination with an'internal combustion engine having aninduction conduit and ,a fuel nozzle discharging thereinto, of a valvecontrolling the discharge from said nozzle, a device movable responsiveto engine suction for actuating said valve, an air bleed for saiddevice, and valving means operated by said device to control said airbleed for sharply changing the suction conditions applied to said deviceat a predetermined position thereof and thereby change the speed ofmovement thereof.

8. The combination with an internal combustion engine having aninduction conduit and a fuel nozzle discharging thereinto, of a valvecontrolling the nozzle discharge and normally yieldingly maintained inone of its extreme positions, a suction responsive device for actuatingsaid valve toward its other extreme position, an air bleed for saiddevice, and valving means operated with said device for controlling saidair bleed to provide a sharp change of suction conditions on said deviceand insure quick movement of said valve towards and from its seat.

9. The combination with an internalcombustion engine intake conduit anda fuel duct discharging thereinto, of a valve controlling said duct, andmeans for actuating said valve comprising a spring normally closing saidvalve, an element for actuating said valve against said spring, a springurging said element in the direction for opening said valve, a passagefor applying engine suction to said element for moving the same againstsaid last-mentioned spring to permit closing of said valve, an air bleedfor said passage, and a valve device for said bleed operable with saidelement just prior to actuation of said valve thereby to sharply changethe suction condition in said passage and insure quick actuation of Saidfuel valve.

10. The combination with an internal combustion engine intake conduitand a fuel duct discharging thereinto, of a valve controlling said ductand having an actuator projecting therefrom, a suction responsivediaphragm adjacent said actuator, a spring urging said diaphragm in onedirection, suction and valve chambers on the opposite side of saiddiaphragm from said actuator, a slide valve in said valve chamber andconnected to said diaphragm, a suction connection constantlycommunicating with said suction chamber, an air bleed connection in saidslide valve, air bleed and suction ports connecting said valve andsuction chambers, and channeling in said slide valve disposed to controlsaid connections and ports so as to constantly apply suction to saiddiaphragm in opposition to said spring and to open said air bleed portas said spring and diaphragm is about to move said actuator.

11. The combination with an internal cornbustion engine intake conduithaving a fuel nozzle discharging thereinto and a throttle therein, of acontrol valve in said nozzle, and sucthrough the fuel nozzle tionresponsive means separate from said throttle for actuating said fuelvalve and coincidentall actuating said throttle.

12. The combination specified in claim 11 further including air bleedmeans rendered effective upon impending actuation of said fuelvalve bysaid means to sharply change the pressure con.- tions applied tosaidmeans and produce quick action of said valve and throttle.

13. In an internal combustion engine, a pair of intake conduits feedingdifferent engine cylinders, a fuel nozzle discharging into each of saidconduits, a throttle in one only of said conduits, a valve controllingthe fuel nozzle for the other conduit, and means responsive to suctionin said first conduit for closing and opening said fuel valve and,coincidentally, partly opening and closing said throttle to damp thepower surge due to actuation of said fuel valve.

14. In combination with an internal combustion engine intake conduit, afuel chamber having a movable wall responsive to engine suction, anozzle connecting said chamber and conduit, and a valve controlling saidnozzle and having an actuator element adjacent said movable wall, saidwall serving to actuate said valve but being capable of substantialmovement independently of said valve for increasing or decreasing thepressure in said nozzle approximately as said valve is actuated.

15. In an internal combustion engine, a, pair of intake conduits feedindifferentengine cylinders, a fuel nozzle discharging into each of saidconduits, a throttle in only one of said conduits for regulating thefuel -mixture passing therethrough, a valve controlling the flow of fuelof the other conduit, means operating said valve to insure an initialcharge capable of eliminating lag in operation due to dry manifoldconditions, means for adjusting said throttle to cushion the initial application of power by said valve operation, and means for operating saidthrottle as said valve is closed to increase the power developed by thethrottle controlled cylinders.

16. In an internal combustion engine, a pair of intake conduits feedingdifferent engine cylinders, a fuel nozzle discharging into each of saidconduits, a throttlein only one of said conduits for regulating the fuelmixture passing therethrough, a valve controlling the flow of fuelthrough the fuel nozzle of the other conduit, means operated by intakemanifold suction for opening said valve and simultaneously urging fuelinto said conduit in excess of the normal flow, and means for adjustingsaid throttle to retard the acceleration of the engine to a degreecomprehending the elimination of the surging condition of the engine.

1'7. In an internal combustion engine, a pair of intake conduits feedingdifferent engine cylinders, a fuel nozzle discharging into each of saidconduits, a throttle in for regulating the fuel mixture passingtherethrough, a valve controlling the flow of fuel through the fuelnozzle of the other conduit. means operated by intake manifold suctionfor opening said valve and simultaneously urging fuel into said conduitin excess of the normal flow induced by the passage of air through saidcon.- duit, means for closing said valve, and means for adjusting saidthrottle to accelerate the engine to such a degree as to eliminate asurging condiof the fuel tion initiated by the discontinuance only oneof said conduits supplied through nozzle.

18. In an internal combustion engine, a pair of intake .conduits feedingdifferent engine cylinders a fuel nozzle discharging into each of saidconduits, a throttle in only one of said conduits for regulating thefuel mixture passing therethrough, a valve controlling the flow of fuelthrough the fuel nozzle of the other conduit, means operated by intakemanifold suction for opening said valve and simultaneously urging fuelinto said conduit in excess of the normal flow induced by the passage ofair through said conduit, means for 'ClOSillg said valve, means foradjusting said throttle to retard the acceleration of the engine to adegree eliminating the surging condition initiated by said valveopening, and means for adjusting said throttle to accelerate said engineto eliminate surging conditions created by the closing of said valve.

19. The combination with an internal combustion engine fuel supplyconduit, of a valve controlling the delivery of fuel through saidconduit, a pressure responsive device to actuate said valve, and meansfor sharply changing the pressure conditions applied to said deviceprior to actuation of said valve thereby to produce quick movement ofsaid valve to a substantially open position whereby a substantialquantity of fuel is immediately available for wetting said conduit.

20. An internal combustion power apparatus including a pair of powercylinders and means for transmitting power from said cylinders to acommon source, an independent source of fuel supply for each cylinderincluding a carburetor and conduits connecting said carburetor with saidpower cylinders, fuel nozzles delivering fuel from said carburetor intosaid conduits, a throttle controlling the flow of fuel mixture throughone of said conduits, a valve controlling the passage of fuel into theother conduit, means for opening said valve upon predetermined loadconditions in the throttle controlled power cylinder, and means forautomatically varying the throttle position to maintain a desireduniform flow of power to said source when said valve is opened supplyingfuel to the second cylinder.

21. In an internal combustion engine, a carburetor. a pair of intakeconduits feeding different engine cylinders-and connecting saidcylinders with said carburetor, a fuel nozzle discharging fuel into eachof said conduits, a throttle in one of said conduits for regulating thefuel mixture passing therethrough, a valve controlling the flow of fuelthrough the fuel nozzle of the other conduit, 2. device responsive toengine suction for actuating said valve, means for changing the suctionconditions applied to said device whereby a relatively quick initialmovement of the valve is provided, manual means for actuating saidthrottle, suction responsive means for actuating said throttleindependent of the manual means, said suction actuated means beingoperable to position said throttle upon the opening of said valve bysuction whereby the fuel supply to the throttle controlled cylinders isvaried to cushion the power developed in the cylinder supplied by fuelcontrolled by said suction actuated valve.

22. In an internal combustion engine, intake conduits feeding differentengine cylinders, a fuel nozzle discharging into each of said conduits,a throttle controlling at least one of said conduits, manual means foroperating said throttle, and means responsive to suction in one of saidconsaid valve :controlled fuel.

duits for shifting said throttle independent of said manual means toregulate the power developed in the cylinders controlled by saidthrottle to retard a racing of the motor in instances where excessiveamounts of fuel are provided in other cylinders of'said engine.

23. In an internal combustion engine, a pair of intake conduits feedingdifferent engine cylinders, a fuel nozzle discharging into each of saidconduits, a throttle in one of said conduits for controlling the fuelmixture passing therethrough, a valve controlling the fuel nozzle forthe other conduit, means controlled by intake conduit suction foropening said valve with an initial snap actiqn, and means simultaneouslysupplying additional fuel under pressure to said valve controllednozzle.

24. In a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine, a pair of intakeconduits feeding different engine cylinders, a fuel nozzle discharginginto each of said conduits for supplying fuel from a suitable source, athrottle for controlling the passage of fuel mixture in one of saidconduits, means normally shutting off the supply of fuel passing throughthe nozzle to the other conduit, said last named means being operable topermit the passage of fuel through said nozzle upon predetermined loadconditions of said engine, and means regulating the flow of fuel mixturein the throttle controlled conduit when said predetermined loadconditions of the motor are reached whereby surging in said motor iseliminated.

25. In an internal combustion engine, a carburetor, a pair of intakeconduits feeding different engine cylinders and connecting saidcylinders with said carburetor, a fuel nozzle discharging fuel into eachof said conduits, a throttle in of fuel through the fuel nozzle of theother com duit, a device responsive to engine suction for actuating saidvalve, means for changing the suction conditions applied to said devicewhereby a relatively quick initial movement of the valve is provided,and manual means for actuating said throttle, said manual meansincluding a lever and an expansible chamber interposed between andconnecting with said lever and said throttle, said expansible chamberbeing subject to manifold pressures from said throttle controlledconduit whereby the relative position of the throttle and said lever maybe varied.

26. In an internal combustion engine, a carburetor, a pair of intakeconduits feeding different engine cylinders and connecting saidcylinders with said carburetor, a fuel nozzle discharging fuel into eachof said conduits, a throttle in one of said conduits regulating the fuelmixture passing therethrough, a valve controlling the flow of fuelthrough the fuel nozzle of the other conduit, a device responsive toengine suction for actuating said valve, means for changing the suctionconditions applied to said device whereby a relatively quick initialmovement of the valve is provided, and manual means for actuating saidthrottle, said manual means including a lever and an expansible chamberinterposed between and connecting with said lever and said throttle,means for supplying manifold pressures to said chamber, and means forregulating said manifold pressures by movement of the suction responsivedevice actuating said valve.

' GEORGE R. ERICSON.

